At this Sunday’s 20th annual AETNA Run for the Cove, a Connecticut woman will give back to the organization that helped her cope with losing her mother at a young age.
Kayla DeLuca was only 9 years old when her mother Pamela DeLuca was killed in a car crash in 2005.
"I’m standing here as a product of the Cove," DeLuca told NBC Connecticut.
DeLuca’s family turned to the Cove Center for Grieving Children, which provides services and a support system for families and children after losing a loved one.
"My family, we needed help at that point and they were there for us and they provided these services completely for free," DeLuca said.
DeLuca and a team of co-workers will run in the 5K race at the Run for the Cove on Sunday morning at the Guilford Fairgrounds. It is the biggest fundraiser on the calendar for an organization that depends on private donors and sponsors.
"The original Cove in Guilford was because a cove is a safe harbor," Race Chairman Bruce McIntyre said.
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McIntyre’s second wife helped found the Cove Center 22 years ago.
"Cause they saw what happens when grieving children do not get help and support," he said.
His first wife passed away from breast cancer in 1973. They had four young children.
"Unfortunately, having their mom die at such an early age still has an impact, you see it in their personalities," McIntyre said.
DeLuca has started volunteering at one of the Cove’s seven family sites in Guilford, where she can help children learning to cope with a significant loss.
"It’s really nice to have me to see I went through the program and that I kind of know how they’re feeling and I can really relate to them," she said. "And also them getting to see that they can get through their grief and they’re going to be OK is the main thing."
The Cove helped almost 160 families at its seven locations last year, McIntyre said.
At this Sunday’s Run for the Cove, there is a Kids Fun Race, 5K Race and 2-mile walk. You can register before the events begin at 9 a.m.
You can learn more about the organization here.
